Air Curtain Generator for Optical Sensing Devices

Abstract

A disclosed example of a sensing device includes an optical surface and an air curtain generator positioned around the optical surface. The air curtain generator has at least one nozzle operable to provide a continuous forced air region traveling away from the optical surface, thereby forming an air curtain around the optical surface that provides a debris barrier for the optical surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sensing device comprising:
 an optical surface; and   an air curtain generator positioned around the optical surface, the air curtain generator having at least one nozzle operable to provide a continuous forced air region traveling away from the optical surface, thereby forming an air curtain around the optical surface.   
     
     
         2 . The sensing device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the optical surface is part of a lens. 
     
     
         3 . The sensing device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the optical surface is part of a light source. 
     
     
         4 . The sensing device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the at least one nozzle further comprises a plurality of nozzles. 
     
     
         5 . The sensing device as recited in  claim 4  wherein the nozzles are directed toward a focal point. 
     
     
         6 . The sensing device as recited in  claim 4  wherein the nozzles are directed toward a focal line. 
     
     
         7 . The sensing device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the air curtain further comprises a conical air curtain. 
     
     
         8 . The sensing device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the air curtain further comprises a rotating air curtain. 
     
     
         9 . A sensing device comprising:
 an optical surface;   a first air curtain generator positioned around the optical surface, the first air curtain generator having at least one nozzle operable to provide a continuous forced air region traveling away from the optical surface, thereby forming a first air curtain around the optical surface; and   a second air curtain generator positioned around the first air curtain generator, the second air curtain generator having at least one nozzle operable to provide a continuous forced air region traveling away from the optical surface, thereby forming a second air curtain around the optical surface.   
     
     
         10 . The sensing device as recited in  claim 9  wherein the optical surface is part of a lens. 
     
     
         11 . The sensing device as recited in  claim 9  wherein the optical surface is part of a light source. 
     
     
         12 . The sensing device as recited in  claim 9  wherein the first air curtain generator further comprises a plurality of nozzles directed toward a first focal point and wherein the second air curtain generator further comprises a plurality of nozzles directed toward a second focal point. 
     
     
         13 . The sensing device as recited in  claim 9  wherein the first air curtain generator further comprises a plurality of nozzles directed toward a focal point and wherein the second air curtain generator further comprises a plurality of nozzles directed toward a focal line. 
     
     
         14 . The sensing device as recited in  claim 9  wherein the first air curtain further comprises an air curtain rotating in a first direction and wherein the second air curtain further comprises an air curtain rotating in a second direction. 
     
     
         15 . The sensing device as recited in  claim 9  wherein the first air curtain further comprises a rotating air curtain having a first angular velocity and wherein the second air curtain further comprises a rotating air curtain having a second angular velocity. 
     
     
         16 . A method of protecting an optical surface of a sensing device comprising:
 positioning an air curtain generator around the optical surface, the air curtain generator having at least one nozzle; and   discharging air through the at least one nozzle to provide a continuous forced air region traveling away from the optical surface, thereby forming an air curtain around the optical surface.   
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 16  wherein discharging air through the at least one nozzle further comprising directing the air toward a focal point. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 16  wherein discharging air through the at least one nozzle further comprising directing the air toward a focal line. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 16  wherein discharging air through the at least one nozzle further comprising generating a rotating air curtain. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 16  further comprising:
 positioning a second air curtain generator around the optical surface, the second air curtain generator having at least one nozzle; and 
 discharging air through the at least one nozzle of the second air curtain generator to provide a continuous forced air region traveling away from the optical surface, thereby forming a second air curtain around the optical surface.